Is 8:00 too late?

[BrianMDTX]

I was going to fish a new lake tomorrow, but it’s in a state park, which normally opens at 6:00 am. But as tomorrow is a holiday, it’s not open until 8:00. I can fish my local pond starting before sunrise (6:54 am), but it’s been slow and nothing over 2 lbs. lately. If the SP opens at 8:00, I’d probably be fishing by 8:30. Tomorrow’s forecast is cloudy/overcast with 59°-61° at 6:00 am. 
 

I’ll be fishing out of my inflatable boat. The lake is 28’ max depth and 240 ac. in size. The pond is 7’ max depth and about 3 ac. in size. 
 

What would you do? 

[MN Fisher]

I'd go - time of day really has nothing to do with it.

 

Fish in my profile pic? Caught around 11:30am on a mostly clear day with bright sunshine on a spinnerbait in about 3' of water.

 

GO FISH!

[Team9nine]

I’d go. I don’t even wake up before 8 any day of the week, and certainly never hit the lake before Noon - lol. Another thought - nearly every big bass figure here, or that you read about, has stated midday (roughly 11-2) as one of the best big fish time slots of the day to be fishing. Search some old threads on the subject. 

[volzfan59]

I'm with @MN Fisher and @Team9nine, GO! There's never a bad time to go fishing. Be there when they open the gates and have at it.

[J Francho]

14 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

I’d go. I don’t even wake up before 8 any day of the week, and certainly never hit the lake before Noon - lol. Another thought - nearly every big bass figure here, or that you read about, has stated midday (roughly 11-2) as one of the best big fish time slots of the day to be fishing. Search some old threads on the subject. 

Yep almost all of my biggest bass came at mid day.  Go get 'em @BrianMDTX!!!

[Bankc]

It's been my experience, that fishing early in the morning is more important in the summer than in the fall, winter, or spring.  This time of year, I'd be more worried about how late you can stay than how early you can get there.  

So yeah, I'd go! 

[scaleface]

37 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

What would you do? 

I'd get there at 6 so I could be first in line and  do some tailgating .

[LrgmouthShad]

The only thing 8:00 is too late for is coffee. 

 

I used to be a huge early bird, and getting that way again, but I don't care what time it is when I go fish; it's just whenever I have time. Sure I like the morning bite, but I don't think that's reason to fish a worse place just because it's open earlier.

 

I'm looking at rushing to go bank fish at 2:00 today actually

[roadwarrior]

24 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Another thought - nearly every big bass figure here, or that you read about, has stated midday (roughly 11-2) as one of the best big fish time slots of the day to be fishing. 

 

                                                                                      

[Finessegenics]

Early morning bite is overrated. So go whenever you can!! I can concede during the hotter months, time of day might have an effect especially in warmer climates. I've seen it myself here come August but I prefer to sleep in  

 

Over the past season I've actually started to prefer the evenings, get there 2 hours before sunset and fish till dark. As soon as the sun dips below the tree line, I usually get a flurry of bites. 

 

 

[Mobasser]

I would go for sure.

[BrianMDTX]

Ok I/you talked me into it! 

[Choporoz]

58 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

 

What would you do? 

I would plan to be at the State Park at 0715.....that way I might arrive around 0745....maybe the minimum wage paid 18 year old will arrive early......lol

[casts_by_fly]

I am not a morning person.  I hate getting up early.  I will set out all of my clothes the night before, coffee maker set ahead of time, truck loaded and boat in the bed.  I can roll out of bed and be in the truck in about 5 minutes in a morning to save sleeping time.  All that said, I love being on the water while its still dark and seeing the world come alive.  Its pretty mandatory in the summer in some of the busy lakes, but its even better on the remote lakes with no one around.  And being there early gives me a little extra time to motor to where I want to be, which I need in a kayak.

[Mobasser]

Timing is a big thing in bass fishing. I'd say go whenever you can. We never really know when the best time is.

[WRB]

Pond bass tend to be shoreline bond no reason to leave especially during the spawn cycle. Overcast only extend active feeding periods. 

Go and enjoy your day on the water.

Tom

[Darth-Baiter]

Around here showing up later may just cost you some top water action but that’s it.  Everything else is fair game. 

[Miabucman]

Always fun to try a new lake.  I would get there a little early in case they open early and possibly be first in line.  Good luck and tight lines!

 

[throttleplate]

1 hour ago, BrianMDTX said:

Ok I/you talked me into it! 

just be home in time to catch the orioles game ?

[BrianMDTX]

1 minute ago, throttleplate said:

just be home in time to catch the orioles game ?

Now…that’s just cruel! ?

 

Nothing like a 1-5 start. SSDD. But, I’m a diehard! 

[Fishlegs]

2 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

The only thing 8:00 is too late for is coffee. 

That's just crazy talk...unless you mean 8pm then maybe. ?

[gim]

3 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

but it’s in a state park, which normally opens at 6:00 am. But as tomorrow is a holiday, it’s not open until 8:00.

I'm surprised that a government entity recognizes Good Friday as a "holiday."

[BrianMDTX]

9 minutes ago, Fishlegs said:

That's just crazy talk...unless you mean 8pm then maybe. ?

That’s why there’s Eight O’Clock coffee! 
 

9 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I'm surprised that a government entity recognizes Good Friday as a "holiday."

The state government of Texas has it listed as an “Optional Holiday”. 

[LrgmouthShad]

49 minutes ago, Fishlegs said:

That's just crazy talk...unless you mean 8pm then maybe. ?

Oh, I just mean first cup of coffee. There has to be more later too. But I need the first cup of coffee ASAP. Man I used to be able to drink whatever energy drink and fall asleep 30min later. I no longer have that power. I’m getting old

[CrashVector]

Half the time I go fishing, I get there about 2pm lol